Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XX - n. 1 - March 2007 MBC NEWS
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An MBC Instructional Course was held on 20-21 February 2007 in Tunis in association with IAHM and the support of the Tunisian Society of Plastic Surgery. It was attended by almost 140 participants from Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, and Iraq. The course was held under the patronage of the Minister of Public Health represented in the opening ceremony by the Director General of the Ministry Dr Noureddine Bouzzouia.
The course was originally planned to take place in Muscat, Oman, and was advertised as such in Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters. However, due to unexpected last minute difficulties and obstacles, the venue of the course had to be changed. Our Tunisian friends were gracious enough to accept hosting the course without hesitation despite the very short notice. A. A. Messadi, MBC National Representative of Tunisia, H. Essadam, Tunisian Burnet Partner, and A. A. Nefzi, Past President of the Tunisian Society of Plastic Surgery and a dear MBC friend, together with their colleagues spared no effort to swiftly and efficiently assure the local organization.
The faculty of this course was composed of M. Masellis, S.W.A. Gunn, B. Atiyeh, M. Costagliola, M. Kadry, as well as D. Mackie, General Secretary of ISBI. All presentations were of the highest scientific quality and Dr Mackie’s contribution was highly appreciated, moreover, it provided an opportunity to establish mutual understanding and new ties between MBC and ISBI which undoubtedly will be strengthened in the future providing proper grounds for the two organizations interested in Burns treatment and prevention to join forces and set new standards for international inter-organizational cooperation.
In addition to the faculty of the main lectures, the course faculty included also a large group of Tunisian colleagues, who presented their experience in Burns treatment and prevention in a special Tunisian session. Another special session about Moist Exposed Burn Ointment sponsored by Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries – Julphar was also organized and was a good opportunity to present the latest evidence and applications of this relatively new therapeutic modality.
It must be stressed though that without the great efforts of our Tunisian colleagues and without the generous support of Julphar, organizing this course would not have been possible. The actual presence in Tunisia during the course of Mr A.R. Yussuf, Julphar’s General Manager, and Dr R. Dham, Director of Julphar’s Drug Information Department as well as a large team of technical assistants assured the smooth conduct of all scientific and social activities. Needless to say also that the social programme that was prepared was exceptional.
Following the Burn Instructional Course held in Beirut in November 2005, speakers in subsequent courses organized in Romania, Jordan, and Tunisia were limited to very few due to various organizational and financial considerations. However, encouraged by the success of these scientific activities recently instituted by MBC in the present format, MBC will definitely seek to organize future similar courses and surely will ask more National Representatives and Members to actively participate and be part of the scientific faculty.
B. Atiyeh, MD,
MBC General Secretary
Beirut, 23 February 2007
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